Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as their psychosocial correlates, among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 Department of Occupational Medicine, Division of Sleep Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the frequency of anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as their psychosocial correlates, in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 347 medical students at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, during the academic year 2020-2021. Data were collected using a structured online questionnaire. Depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) was used to measure students' depression, anxiety, and stress levels.
Results: The results of the DASS test showed that 59.7%, 55.5%, and 57.4% of medical students experienced degrees of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The frequency of depression was higher in medical students who did not have children (P=0.006), were less satisfied with their field of study (P<0.005), had substance abuse (P=0.01), and had history of infection with COVID-19 (P=0.02). The frequency of anxiety was higher in medical students who were less satisfied with their field of study (P=0.001), and had substance abuse (P=0.01). The frequency of stress was higher in medical students who were less satisfied with their field of study (P<0.005), had substance abuse (P=0.01), and did not receive COVID-19 vaccine (P=0.02).
Conclusion: More than 50% of the medical students reported some degree of depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The level of satisfaction with the academic field and substance abuse were related to all three subscales of depression, anxiety, and stress in medical students. The stress level was lower in students who received the COVID-19 vaccine.

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References

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Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences
Volume 65, Issue 6
January and February 2023
Pages 2293-2309

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